Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in an elite, peri-menopausal female runner using Bruce protocol: A case...

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a dynamic and non-invasive assessment of the cardio-respiratory, metabolic and musculoskeletal systems in both sports and in medicine, as it yields comprehensive information about an individual's response to incremental exercise. There is a dearth of information about key physiological parameters applicable to female runners in India, which is imperative for personalised exercise prescription optimised to age, fitness and activity levels. Graded incremental exercise testing with the Bruce protocol was performed in a 49-year-old, perimenopausal female runner. Her menopausal rating scale reported the absence of all symptoms. Global Physical activity Questionnaire revealed that she performed regular physical activity of >3000 MET-minutes per week. During exercise testing, she attained a maximal heart rate of 190 beats per minute and a maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) of 42.6 ml/kg/min at 21 min. CPET may be utilised in females during the peri-menopausal phase for prognostic monitoring by assessing activity levels, alterations in menopausal symptoms and exercise capacity parameters over time.